I have no idea what to say – but I tried.  I sent a response to him and the man fired back at me right away – second email is behind the jump.

Where did she go? For a swim of course. Not much more to say than that.  I’m not particularly fond of Rochelle and neither are most people so hey, the charger did them a favor.  Personal recollections after the jump…

Come to think of it, that reminds me of this past weekend playing the new “Headshot!” mutation.  We were rolling along to the end of a map in the Swamp Fever campaign when one of those son-of-a-bitch chargers ram rodded half our team into the water.

I am much more partial to the character of Gnome Chompsky as a whole.

I forget what part of which map it was, but it was pretty damn hilarious.  Arien got snagged by the charger and I got sent flying backwards.

Of course, it’s more fun when you’re playing as the charger and pull it off like the time I did it in versus on the Parish bridge finale, but entertaining regardless.

It has been a long time since any of us at GNSU have played L4D and its sequel on a regular basis but with the introduction of mutations we HAVE ventured in now and again to play a short round here and there.  It’s easy to forget the little things that made the game so damn fun.

One thing that got repeated constantly was that even thought dying was frustrating it added a lot of entertainment value.  We’re not talking about the times you got overwhelmed by hordes at inopportune moments but the instances showcased in the video above as well as the one below.  When you find yourself at the receiving end of these (or better yet, executing said maneuvers) it is a blast.

Environmental hazards play their part in the hilarity of dying in Left 4 Dead as well. Who hasn’t griefed friend and foe alike with the gas station in the first game? And what about the countless times tanks have knocked your ass off the roof of No Mercy or into countless bottomless watery pits?

One user made campaign comes to mind when I think of these and that would be “Power Station”.  The map is filled with all kinds of tricks and traps that I guarantee will both frustrate and entertain you.  A lot of it is trial and error with surprises along the way but all in all it is pretty goddamn fun.  Below is a video showing off the start of the 4-5 map campaign with some interesting gimmicks along the way.  It’s actually best played going in completely blind to all of the surprises it will throw at you but if you’d rather check it out before hand then take a look.  Playing with friends is a must though, especially if you have that one friend who likes to rush ahead (Hi Arien!) of the pack as if it were a race.  They’ll likely fall victim to an unexpected falling floor or series of explosions thusly acting as a guinea pig and simultaneously causing bouts of laughter over in game chat.  I am not sure if this campaign can be used in Left 4 Dead 2 but I really hope it is because it would certainly benefit from the new infected posing an even more entertaining challenge.

Dying in games is typically a source of frustration, especially after you’ve made a ton of progress or you have almost made it to your goal, but the L4D series is one of the few that have made it entertaining in the end.  The safe room isn’t always as safe as you think it is and when you are on the tank side of things? Well then it’s just a challenge.  But we’re focusing on the losing end of things so let’s take a little look see at a close call…

Got any good Left 4 Dead 1/2 death stories? Share them with us!

If Lady Gaga were playable...

In this week’s round of Left 4 Dead 2 mutations we see the debut of “Chainsaw Massacre” which is a strictly chainsaw mode.  In this campaign mutation you and your friends (or glorious AI) will be equipped with chainsaws and infinite gasoline for them.  Previous mutations thus far have been a success – in fact, Realism Versus was so popular it became a permanent game mode.  While it’s not likely this will be a repeat scenario with the other modes, Chainsaw mode is sure to be a hit.

What do you think?  E-mail us! Let us know!

Maybe's he's cancelling it in favor of another theme party...

Admittedly it’s a bit strange that Valve decided to cancel their Portal E3 Event a week or two before the festivities but it certainly is an attention getter.  Valve is no stranger to getting attention though, made clear by the clever “blue screen incident” from the GDC Awards.  So one has to wonder what Valve has up their sleeves.  Speculation is abound and gamers seem to be getting their hopes up about the possibility of an announcement on Half Life 2: Episode 3 – a game that has been highly anticipated, long awaited, and in Valve Time Hell. Fans are even speculating and hoping to the point of making screen mockups.

Other fans have been making jokes regarding the possibilities of Left 4 Dead 3 which Gabe himself has had a good sense of humor about to say the least.  When one fan suggested Gabe would need protection if they announced Left 4 Dead 3, his response was “Uh… how about Left 4 Dead 2: Episode 1?”

Another possibility up for consideration is The Orange Box 2 – a follow up to the extremely popular Orange Box which contained the original Portal along with the debut of Team Fortress 2 and more.  This would certainly be exciting but how would they roll it out?  With all of the content updates for TF2 over the years it’s unlikely that would find a home in an Orange Box Sequel.  Our guess is that IF Valve announced this we’d probably see Portal 2, Half Life 2 Episode 3, and maybe a few other surprises.  It’s unlikely though because we can’t imagine any other material they would package with those two at the moment.  Left 4 Dead 3 would be too big of a game to stick in with the others and given the success of the series, Valve would probably want to market that on it’s own.  As far as we’re concerned, all of this is really up in the air.

Valve surely has no intention of disappointing us and everyone is certainly talking about what might be in store for us.  Even if it isn’t the long awaited HL2:E3 (E3!? COULD IT BE?) – we know they will deliver and mostly likely in an exciting way.  One still has to wonder what is taking so goddamn long with HL2 Episode 3…

Of course, this adventure MIGHT have something do with all of the delays…

If Kirby swallowed Gary Busey...

Here it is, the 6th Good News Shut Up Report!

This week we talk about a wide range of subjects including Serious Sam HD, Brian Frobel in Twilight (and why Twilight sucks), Oblivion, Keanu Reeves and some other crap these guys talk about when I leave in the middle of the podcast.  Will it turn to chaos or will they benefit from me leaving?  How do it know?

Twitter us! Our twitter account is coming soon!  Send us your e-mails!  Enter our contest! Be our friends!

Also, we may or may not go on a hiatus soon for some killer content overhauls.  The podcast will remain updated weekly.  You won’t want to miss what we have in store!

Do you have opinions on the current hot releases? Dragon Age? Modern Warfare 2?  Anything – write to us, let us know! Tell you’re listening, anything!

arien@goodnewsshutup.com and james@goodnewsshutup.com

We know we haven’t put up a lot of content recently but that’s because we’ve been busy developing some new ideas for the site we think you are going to enjoy including some video content.  As you know we’ve got our first official contest up where we’re giving away a free  copy of the PC game “Left 4 Dead 2″.   Take a look at that post for more details.  You guys still have until Christmas Eve to get your entries in – one lucky bastard is gonna get that game for free Christmas day!

We’re also going to set up a twitter soon as well (we are the Perez Hilton of the video game world) – if you don’t want to subscribe via RSS or keep up with us on iTunes you can keep track of the latest GNSU updates through twitter.

So in the coming weeks expect a lot of new articles, contests, video content, podcasts, minicasts and links to our Youtube and Twitter pages!

Good News Shut Up is giving away ONE free copy of Valve’s hit game  Left 4 Dead 2 for the PC via Steam.  Arien has graciously outlined the details of the contest in a cute little description below.

If you want to enter please send your entries and STEAM USER INFO to:
james@goodnewsshutup.com

and/or

arien@goodnewsshutup.com

You guys have roughly 4 weeks to wow us with your best entries.  Read below to find out what you gotta do to get your free copy.  This is not a joke.  This is for real.  WE’RE PLAYIN’ FOR KEEPS.

“Do you love zombies? Do you want a copy of Left 4 Dead 2 of your very own? Do you have any kind of artistic abilities? If you said yes to all three of these, you might have a chance to win a copy of Left 4 Dead 2 on PC!

Want to win? It’s pretty simple. I just want you to draw the best piece of erotic fan art featuring my girl, the Spitter.

Sexy girl, ain’t she? And what a pretty mouth! I’m sure you can come up with all kinds of naughty situations for her to be in. I look forward to your submissions.”

As an addendum, we would also like to say that we’d prefer this fan art to include Twilight’s Edward Cullen.

Let’s put it this way – we’re taking all forms of art.  Can you paint, draw, sculpt?  Maybe you want to dress your mom up as the spitter?  Who knows!  Be creative! We endorse it!

Remember, to enter send us your entries along with your STEAM USER INFO at:
arien@goodnewsshutup.com

and/or

james@goodnewsshutup.com

Let’s get rollin’.

Left 5 Dead: Throwing down in Arlen

We made it to the FIFTH Good News Shut Up Podcast!

As always you can click the above image or link to listen, or if you’re an idiot manchild with ADD you can click [HERE]

If you want to subscribe to us on iTunes:  click [HERE]

This one is a DOOZY, folks.  We discuss (primarily) Left 4 Dead 2 (including Left 4 Dead 2 DLC, why we hate Rochelle, Elli’s buddy Keith, and more) but we also branch off into other fantastic subjects!  Also, you could win a free fucking copy of Left 4 Dead 2! How about them apples?  So join us, enjoy us, and bask in the glow of the Good News Shut Up Crew!

BREAKING NEWS

Valve’s hit Left 4 Dead’s sequel, creatively titled “Left 4 Dead 2″, has been unexpectedly delayed.  GNSU reporters finally spoke to a Valve representative who had this to say about the delay:

“It’s quite unfortunate.  Being a big company like this you expect things to go along smoothly but that doesn’t always happen.  We’re investigating the reasons as to why the game won’t launch properly but we believe it’s because someone shoved a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in our VCR in the break room. ”

Although it’s not quite clear how this would effect the launch of the game, one can only wonder how it’s effecting fans across the globe.

Should Left 4 Dead 2 DIE?

BREAKING NEWS!

Microsoft just sent out news that on Tuesday November 17th there will be a mandatory update for XBox live.  The colorful HTML newsletter features some dick in a bad hat partying with rhythmically challenged friends (you call that dancing?) making attempt to draw in the youth demographic.

In the update e-mail, Microsoft informs XBox live members of several features that will be available to them.  While having access to Facebook, Last.fm and Twitter is not news to most gamers, the release date is.

So why all the fuss?

It’s simple, it is being released the same day as Left 4 Dead 2.

The news reportedly has Valve rushing to push for a November 16th release.  Given Valve’s track record this means the game will be released on November 17th.  It’s with that in mind that one questions Valve’s decision to push for an earlier release.  When GNSU reporter asked Valve to comment on the decision a spokesperson issued the following statement:

“It’s simple, people like Perez Hilton and Ashton Kutcher are all over twitter.  This could detract from our sales, big time.  People will see Perez twittering from Halo 3 and they’ll want to twitter too.  It’s not right but we have no choice.”

A rather curious decision on Valve’s part as the update is free for XBox live users.  Regardless, they are clearly worried.  Spokesperson David McKinley also had this to say:

“Quite frankly, we’re worried that people like updating their statuses more than shooting zombies.”

Valve has nothing to worry about in Australia however, as Twitter has been banned for being too violent.

More on this as it develops. . .